Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I wish to raise an issue which I am sure is of concern to all people who think about human rights. The refusal of Israel to facilitate medical treatment for Mr. Arafat is outrageous. It is important for us to let our voices be heard. He has stood bravely with his people. They have been brutalised and humiliated. He has lived in a virtual bunker, without daylight and with very poor air. We must surely have some sanction in our arsenal of international diplomacy to impress on Israel that it is working outside the family of civilised nations. For the Israeli Government to state that it could not guarantee Mr. Arafat's return to his own people if he leaves for medical treatment is another example of man's inhumanity to man. As a forum, we should express our views on this and perhaps our Government, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, might ensure that Mr. Arafat is facilitated. He is a very ill man and should be facilitated in getting specialist medical services which he requires at this time.